Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
SAN DIEGO – Chief Petty Officer Travis Daniels, a native of Laramie, Wyoming, joined the Navy to provide stability for his family while defending his country.
"I felt a sense of patriotism and still do," said Daniels.
Now, 11 years later, Daniels is stationed with the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) San Diego, which trains sailors in the operation and maintenance of shipboard weapons and sensors.
“The training we implement at Det San Diego is an example of how Ready, Relevant Learning is shaping a more capable and lethal force,” explained Capt. Dave Stoner, CSCS commanding officer. “Through innovative solutions, such as our Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Anti-Submarine Warfare Trainer, known as CIAT and our newest, mobile combat simulator, the On Demand Trainer, we are moving away from the traditional instructor-led training at the podium and creating an immersive learning environment facilitated by an instructor that improves individual performance and in turn, shaping confident and competent sailors who know how to fight and win. To be victorious in our next fight, sailors must know how to extract every bit of warfighting capability resident in our ships.”
Daniels, a 1992 graduate of Laramie High School is a sonar technician at the training center located in San Diego.
“I train teams of surface ship sailors how to effectively search, track and destroy threats like submarines,” said Daniels. “I get to meet many different people from across the fleet, including some I'll serve with later in my career aboard another ship.”
According to Daniels, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Laramie.
“I learned the importance of hard work,” said Daniels. "There's a strong work ethic and loyalty growing up in a small town."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
CSCS is a global organization of professional military and civilian educators and support personnel focused on training the Surface Navy to fight and win. CSCS trains over 36,000 U.S. and allied sailors a year to operate, maintain and employ weapons, sensors, communications, combat systems and deck equipment of surface warships to build Combat Ready Ships with Battle Minded Crews.
CSCS provides more than 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains more 38,000 sailors a year. The command’s mission is to develop and deliver combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority.
According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.
“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Daniels is most proud of his selection as chief petty officer.
“This is a tight-knit group of senior enlisted sailors,” said Daniels. "I'm proud to join this family. Hard work pays off, and I'm thankful for the work ethic I learned from Wyoming. I'm willing to get my hands dirty and lead side-by-side with others."
For Daniels, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Daniels hopes to continue.
“My dad was a helicopter pilot in the Navy, and I have three brothers-in-law who were in the military,” said Daniels. "My step-mom was also a hospital corpsman in the Navy.”
“They all inspired me to join the military,” Daniels added. “I'm thankful to them for their service and pointing the way for me to start my own career.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Daniels, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“The key word for me is 'service',” said Daniels. "This gives me a daily opportunity to be a servant leader. I love my country, and I believe that others want to be led with a sense of patriotism while caring about them personally."
Now, 11 years later, Daniels is stationed with the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) San Diego, which trains sailors in the operation and maintenance of shipboard weapons and sensors.
“The training we implement at Det San Diego is an example of how Ready, Relevant Learning is shaping a more capable and lethal force,” explained Capt. Dave Stoner, CSCS commanding officer. “Through innovative solutions, such as our Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Anti-Submarine Warfare Trainer, known as CIAT and our newest, mobile combat simulator, the On Demand Trainer, we are moving away from the traditional instructor-led training at the podium and creating an immersive learning environment facilitated by an instructor that improves individual performance and in turn, shaping confident and competent sailors who know how to fight and win. To be victorious in our next fight, sailors must know how to extract every bit of warfighting capability resident in our ships.”
Daniels, a 1992 graduate of Laramie High School is a sonar technician at the training center located in San Diego.
“I train teams of surface ship sailors how to effectively search, track and destroy threats like submarines,” said Daniels. “I get to meet many different people from across the fleet, including some I'll serve with later in my career aboard another ship.”
According to Daniels, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Laramie.
“I learned the importance of hard work,” said Daniels. "There's a strong work ethic and loyalty growing up in a small town."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
CSCS is a global organization of professional military and civilian educators and support personnel focused on training the Surface Navy to fight and win. CSCS trains over 36,000 U.S. and allied sailors a year to operate, maintain and employ weapons, sensors, communications, combat systems and deck equipment of surface warships to build Combat Ready Ships with Battle Minded Crews.
CSCS provides more than 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains more 38,000 sailors a year. The command’s mission is to develop and deliver combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority.
According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.
“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Daniels is most proud of his selection as chief petty officer.
“This is a tight-knit group of senior enlisted sailors,” said Daniels. "I'm proud to join this family. Hard work pays off, and I'm thankful for the work ethic I learned from Wyoming. I'm willing to get my hands dirty and lead side-by-side with others."
For Daniels, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Daniels hopes to continue.
“My dad was a helicopter pilot in the Navy, and I have three brothers-in-law who were in the military,” said Daniels. "My step-mom was also a hospital corpsman in the Navy.”
“They all inspired me to join the military,” Daniels added. “I'm thankful to them for their service and pointing the way for me to start my own career.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Daniels, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“The key word for me is 'service',” said Daniels. "This gives me a daily opportunity to be a servant leader. I love my country, and I believe that others want to be led with a sense of patriotism while caring about them personally."